The Six Principles Of Pilates - Concentration
This is one of the key principles of Pilates, a method developed by a man lightyears ahead of his time.
Who stated “this very rapidly progressing world with its ever-increasing faster tempo of living demands that we be physically fit and alert in order that we may succeed in the unceasing race with keen competition which rewards the ‘go-getters’ but bypasses the ‘no-getters’.”
He wrote these words in 1945! He could see that our world was increasing pace and we were struggling to keep up. Now more than ever I believe this to be true.
We live in a world that never sleeps, with the ability to access media any time of day we are constantly fighting a losing battle to concentrate on our task at hand without distraction.
How many times have you had a thought, something you perhaps needed to remember, only to find moments later you have forgotten it already? Or you have attempted to read a book only to find you have re-read the page 3 times? You have sat down to write the email reply but got distracted by Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok…?
I bet there was an “uhuh” whilst reading those?!
We are in a world where media is constantly battling to take our attention. Whether it be on social media, the TV, advertising, or even Whatsapp group notifications! It is becoming harder and harder for us to remain focused, to keep out attention on one task instead of ‘multi-tasking’ (which by the way has been proven to be actually unachievable). Even when we feel as though we are focusing our mind wanders; frustrating right?
That’s where the art of concentration comes in through Pilates practice. If you are correctly practicing the method then you have no capacity to think of anything else. You must remain completely connected to your body, engaging your mind to ensure your body moves efficiently and with purpose.
Pilates allows you to concentrate solely on your body and its movements, creating a mind body connection that allows you to not only strengthen the muscles of the body but also the mind too. You will be strengthening your ability to ignore external distractions, allowing you to find better and longer concentration levels, not only in your Pilates exercises but also your day to day activities.
The practice of concentration begins to filter into your every day, allowing you to not only become a master of your body and its movements but also your mind and its thoughts too.
Whether you practice for 10 minutes or an hour, Pilates will give you the chance to practice the art of concentrating, wholeheartedly, on one task at a time.
“Concentrate on the correct movements each time you exercise, lest you do them improperly and thus lose all the vital benefits of their value”